Switching device.



L. G. RILEY.

SWITCHING DEVICE.

APPLICATION man APR. 3. 1914.

1,244,545. Patented Oct. 30,1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

. ESSES: /J 'INVENTOR l 2 ATTORNEY L. G. RILEY.

SWITCHING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 3. m4.

Patented Oct. 30, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2 ATTORNEY L. G. RILEY.

SWITCHING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.3. 1914.

- 1,244,545. Patented Oct. 30,1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WITNESSES: VENTOR fZ M 6%? ATTORNEY WITNESSES;

.L. G. RILEY.

SWITCHING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 3 1914.

Patented Oct. 30,1917,

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

INVENTOR 1 00 6? Away BY A 7 Ai'ronusv UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LYNN G. RILEY,.OF WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR, TO WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

SWITCHING nnv'rcn.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LYNN G. RILEY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Wilkinsbur in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Switching Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to switching devices,

and it has particular reference to safety interlocking means that is adapted for use in r as a safety aid toinfexperienced drivers,

is obvious.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for preventing damage to the apparatus from allowing the vehicle to stand withbrakes set and the controller on a running point.

Another-object of my invention is to pro vide means for allowing the power circuit to be interrupted on either the main con trol drum or the reverser drum, when in its forward position, irrespective of the position of the main drum, thereby afford ing an additional element of s; ety in case either drum becomes temporarily immovable. i

It will be understood that, in the prior art, a setting of the brakes without first returning the main controller to the off position would result in burnout of the apparatus.

According to my invention, I provide interlocking means that is associated with the main controller drum, the rever ing drum and the brake rigging whereby first, a setting of the brakes returns the reversing drum to its oil position from either the forward or the reverse running [position and thus shuts oif the energy supply irrespective of the position of the main drum'; and second, the main drum must be returned to the oil' position and the brake must be released before energy can again be supplied to the vehicle motor. I also provide means for subsequently automatically throwing the reversing drum to the for Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 3, 19 14.

Patented Oct. 30, 1917. Serial No. 829,178.

ward running position, whereupon the vehicle may again be operated.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure l is an elevational view, with parts broken away, of a controller constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary View of a portion of the structure shownin Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1; F A is a view, taken at right angles to the view of Fig. 3, showing certain details of construction of my controller; Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are sectional views taken on the lines V-V, VIP-VI and VII VII, respectively, of Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is a perspective view corresponding to Fig. 1; and Fig. 9 is a perspective view, with portions cut away for clean ness, of certain parts of the apparatus shown in Fig. 8.

Referring to the drawings, the controller shown comprises a suitable supporting frame 1, a main controller drum 2, a reversing drum 3 provided with cams l and 5, a brake rod or interlocking lever 6 that is suitably attached to the brake rigging (not shown) and engages one of the cams, and a movable rod 7 that is disposed to engage the other cam.

The electrical contact members of the drums 2 and 3 may be of any suitable type and, not being relevant to my present invention, will not be further described. The rotatable shaft 8 of the drum 2 is suitably supported by the end castings 9 and 10 of the frame 1. A suitable accentuating-device, comprising a star-wheel 8 and a spring-pressed pawl 9 that is adapted to engage the wheel, is provided at one end of the main drum 2, which is preferably biased to the off position by a spring 10 or other suitable means. A laterally-disposed curved projection 11 which is tapered at its free end is secured to the inner end of the drum 2. The location of the projection 11 is such that it is adapted to engage one end of the rod 7 when the drum 2 is in its off position, as hereinafter de scribed. A suitable operating lever 12 is secured to oneend of the shaft 8.

The reversing drum 3 is secured to a sleeve 13 that is concentrically disposed around a portion of the shaft 8 and is rotat-ably supported by the end casting 9 and an intermediate casting 14. A suitable op crating lever 15 is attached to the sleeve 13 and is preferably disposed to move in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of movement of the main drum lever 12. Preferably, a suitable magnetic blowout coil 15 is included in the electrical circuit, and it may be secured to the intermediate casting 14. It will be noted that, inasmuch as the customarily provided mechanical, interlocking devices between the main controller drum and the reverser drum are omitted in my present controller, either drum may be returned to the off position during forward vehicle operation irrespective of the position of the main drum, as hereinafter described more specifically.

The cam 4L is disposed on the sleeve 13 just within the end casting 9, and the cam surface is formed by an approximately triangular internal opening 16 in the cam. (See Fig. 5.) The corners of the opening 16, marked. A, B and C, correspond respectively to the off, forward and reverse positions of the reversing drum 3. A suitable spring 1? is attached to the cam 4 and to the frame 1 in such a manner that the reverse drum 3 is biased to its forward running position.

The cam 5 is disposed on the sleeve 13 near the intermediate casting 14.- and has a cam surface that is formed by an internal opening 17 approximately constituting three intersecting circles. (See Fig. 6.) central circle corresponds to the off position of the reversing drum 3, a contiguous opening 18 of substantially equal size that is located on one side corresponds to the reverse position, and a relatively small opening 18 on the other side corresponds to the forward position. A rib 19, having a segmental recess that registers with the opening 18, is provided, for a purpose to be hereinafter specified.

The interlocking lever 6 is adapted to slide within an opening in the end casting 9, when actuated by the brake'rigging (not shown). Movably mounted within the inner end of the lever 6, is a transversely-disposed pin 20 that is adapted to operate within a slot 21 in the end casting 9. roller 20 is mounted upon the pin 20 to engage the sides of the opening 16 in the cam 4, for a purpose hereinafter stated. The lever 6 is also provided with a wedgeshaped cam or projection 22 having a shoulder 23, the function of which will be described later. 7

The rod 7 is slidably supported by the end casting 9 and the intermediate casting 1i and is provided with a collar 24 that is adapted to selectively occupy various positions in the opening 17 of the cam 5 according to the position of the reversing drum 3. In the off position, the collar 24: engages two oppositely-disposed projec- The tions 24, which thus prevent movement of the reverser drum from the off to the reversed position until the collar 24 is moved in an axial direction, as described below. The collar 24 is biased to engagement with the cam 5 by a compression spring 25, or other suitable means, the movement being limited by a suitable collar 26 that is secured to the outer end of the rod 7. An inwardly-turned arm 27 is attached to the collar 26 and is disposed to slide within an opening in the end casting 9 in a direction parallel to the direction of motion of the rod 7. The arm 27 is provided with a tapered end which constitutes a latch 28, in connection with the cam 22 of the lever 6. As shown in Fig. 1, the main drum 2 is in the off position and the curved projection 11 consequently engages the end of the rod 7, as hereinbefore stated, in opposition to the spring 25. lifted out of engagement with the opening 17 of the cam 5, and the latch 28 is withdrawn into the opening in the end casting 9. However, in any operative position of the main drum 2, the projection 11 is disengaged from the rod 7 which is moved by the spring 25 to a position where the collar 26 abuts against the end casting 9. The collar 24L may then engage the opening 17, and the latch 28 may engage the cam 22, as will hereinafter be more fully explained.

Assuming that the parts of the controller occupy the positions shown in the drawing, both controller drums being in their respective ofi' positions, and the interlocking lever 6 being in its outer position, the operation of the device is as follows:

By releasing the brake (not shown), the interlocking lever 6, and consequently the roller 20, are moved to their respective inner positions, the roller sliding within the slot 21. Meanwhile, the spring 4 has maintained the internal cam surface of the cam 4 in engagement with the roller 20, whereby the reversing drum 3 is finally moved to its forward running position. Also, the rod 7 engages the portion of the opening 17 in the earn 5 that corresponds to the forward running position of the drum, and the end of the rod 7 engages the projection 11 of the main drum 2, since the latter is in the off position. The main drum may now be operated to the running position by the lever 12, in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 6.

As soon as the main drum is moved from its off position, the projection 11 disengages the rod 7, whereupon, the collar 24 on the rod is pressed against the cam 5 by the spring 25 but can move no farther by reason of the relatively small size of the engaged portion of the opening in the cam.

Assuming that the brakes are to be set, {he operation of the mechanism is as folows:

The collar 24 is thereby The brake rod or interlocking lever 6 is moved toits outer position shown in the drawing, whereupon, the attached roller 20 rides along the cam surface of the cam 4 and, consequently, the reversing drum 3 forced to its off position, thereby opening the electrical circuit and preventing any damage from burnouts. As soon as the middle opening in the cam 5, correspondingto the off position of the drum '3, comes opposite the collar 24- on the rod 7, the spring 25 forces the collar into engagement with the opening, the movement being limited by the collar 26. The reversing drum. 3 is thus locked in the off position Moreover, the interlocking lever 6 cannot be moved to its inner position which would release the drum 8, by reason of the engagement of the flat side of the latch 28 with the shoulder 23 of the cam 22. To return thecontroller to operative condition, the main drum '2 must first be returned 'to its off position, whereupon, the projection 11 engages the end of the rod 7 and,

consequently, the latch 28 disengages the cam 22, thereby permitting the inward movement oft-he interlocking lever 6 and the consequent returning of the reversing drum 3 toits forward running position by the spring 4*.

Assuming the parts of the controller to be in the position last mentioned, the reversing of the device is accomplished as fol lows:

The lever 15 is operated to move the reversing drum to the reverse running position. Since the spring 4? opposes this action, the'lever must be manually, or otherwise, held in the reverse position until a mechanical lock is secured. Such a lock is obtained as soon as the main drum 2 is moved from its off position, since the collar 24: is then forced into engagement with the opening 18 and with the registering recess in the rib 19 of the cam 5, in a manner already explained. The main drum 2 may then be operated to the full running position. 1

Again assuming that the brakes are to be set, the operation of the mechanism is as follows:

The brake rod or interlocking lever 6 is moved to its outer position, whereupon, the attached roller 20 first rides along a portion of the cam surface of the cam 4 that is disposed approximately parallel to the path of travel of the roller. Meanwhile, the tapered edge of the latch 28 has been engaged by the wedge-shaped cam 22, thereby gradually forcing the rod 7 toward the position shown in the drawing and, consequently, disengaging the collar 2% from the cam 5. As soon as the collar 24 is freed, the spring 4P pulls the reversing drumto a position where the roller 20 engages the opposite side of the opening 16. The roller continues to engage the cam surface until the end of its travel is reached, when the same conditions obtain as did after the brakes were set with the controller in the forward running position. To return the controller to operative condition, the procedure hereinbefore stated must be followed.

lVhen the controller drums occupy their forward runinng positions, the power circuit may be interrupted on either the main control drum or the reverser drum, the main drum being adapted for movement to its ofi position in the usual manner. while the reverser drum may bemoved to its F off position by reason of the movement of the cam 5 and its opening 17 with respect to the collar 24, which engages the projections 24 when the reverse drum reaches its off position, thereby preventing move ment of the drum to its r verse position. When the automobile or other vehicle is temporarily running in a backward direction, such independent operation of the controllers as has just been recited, is usually unnecessary. Consequently, the reverser drum is not adapted for movement to the off position from the reverse position, when the main controller occupies any operative position, by reason of the engagement of the collar 24 with the sides of the opening 18-, including the projections 24*. However, it will be understood that the apparatus may, with some modifications, be readily adapted for such an operatiomif desired.

The desirability of removing, as far as possible, any concussive effect upon the roller 20 by the cam 4; is obvious. To In .et such conditions, I have proportioned the various parts in such manner that the frame or the reversing drum body will receive the greater part of the initial shock incidental to the movements of the interlocking mechanism. The buffers 29 and 30, that are respectively dis-posed upon the casting 9 and the lever 15, are adapted to serve this purpose.

I do not wish to be restricted to the specific structural details herein set forth, as many modifications thereof may be made within the spirit and scope of my invention. I, therefore, desire that only such limitations shall be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a switching device, the combination with a plurality of stationary contact members, and a plurality of sets of cooperating movable contact members, said sets being relatively movable, of an operable member and means for automatically moving one of said sets, irrespective of the position of another s'et, upon predetermined movement of said operable member.

2. In a switching device, the combination with a plurality of stationary contact members, a plurality of relatively movable supporting members, and a plurality of coopcrating movable contact members associated with said supporting members, of an operable member, and mechanical means associated therewith for automatically moving one of said supporting members, irrespective of the position of another, upon predetermined movement of said operable member.

3. In a controller, the combination with a plurality of stationary contact members, a main drum, a reversing drum movable relatively thereto, and a plurality of cooperating movable contact members disposed upon said drums, of an operable member, and mechanical means adjust-ably engaging the same for moving one of said drums to its off position from any other position, irrespective of the position of the other drum, upon predetermined movement of said operable member.

4. In a controller, the combination with a plurality of stationary contact members, a main drum, a reversing drum movable rela tively thereto, and a plurality of cooperating movable contact members disposed upon said drums, of a cam secured to one of said drums, and a movable member engaging said cam and adapted to move the corresponding drum to its off position from any other position, irrespective of the position of the other drum.

5. In a controller, the combination with a plurality of stationary contact members, a main drum, a reversing drum movable relatively thereto, and a plurality of cooperating movable contact members disposed upon said drums, of a cam secured to said reversing drum, a movable member engaging said cam, a reciprocable member attached to said movable member and adapted to actuate the latter to move said reversing drum to its off position, under predetermined conditions, and means for biasing said reversing drum to a predetermined position.

6. In a controller, the combination with a plurality of stationary contact members, a main drum, a reversing drum movable relatively thereto, and aplurality of cooperating movable contact members disposed upon said drums, of positioning means secured to one of said drums, and means for selectively engaging said positioning means and looking the corresponding drum in a predetermined position, upon movement thereto.

7. In a controller, the combination with a plurality of stationary contact members, a main drum, a reversing drum movable relatively thereto, and a plurality of cooperating movable contact members disposed upon said drums, of a cam secured to one of said drums, a rod having one portion selectively engaging said cam, and biasing means for locking the corresponding drum in its off position, upon movement thereto.

8. In a controller, the combination with a plurality of stationarv contact members, a main drum, a reversing drum movable relatively thereto, and a plurality of cooperating movable contact members disposed upon said drums, of a cam secured to said reversing drum and having a recess, a rod extending through said recess, an annular member secured to said rod, and resilient means for moving said annular member into interlocking engagement with said recess in the off position of said reversing drum.

9. In a controller, the combination with a plurality of stationary contact members. a main drum, a reversing drum movable relae tively thereto, and a plurality of cooperating movable contact members disposed upon said drums, of a cam secured to said reversing drum and provided with an internal recess having portions respectively corresponding to the forward running, reverse running and off positions of the reversing drum, a rod for engaging said recess in the forward running position, a collar secured to said rod, resilient means for moving said collar into interlocking engagement with said recess in either of the other positions, and means for preventing said engagement in certain portions of said main drum.

10. In a controller, the combination with a plurality of stationary contact members, a main drum, a reversing drum movable relatively thereto, a plurality of cooperating movable contact members disposed upon said drums, and a supporting frame, of a cam secured to said reversing drum and provided with an internal recess having substantially equal portions respectively corresponding to the reverse running and off positions, and a relatively small portion corresponding to the forward running position, a rod supported by said frame and adapted to engage the relatively small portion of said recess, a collar secured to said rod, means secured to said cam for positioning said collar when the reversing drum is in the reverse position, a spring for moving said collar into interlocking engagement with either of the substantially equal portions of said recess in the corresponding positions of the reversing drum, and a cam associated with said main drum for preventing said engagement in the off position of the main drum.

11. In a switching device, the combination with a plurality of relatively movable cooperating contact members, of an operable member, automatically interpolated means for preventing movement thereof in one direction, in one position of certain of said movable contact members and for permitting movement of said operable member in another direction, in another posit-ion of said contact members.

12. In. a switching device, the combination with a plurality of stationary contact members, a plurality of relatively movable supporting members, and a plurality of cooperating movable contact members associated with said supporting members, of an operable member, automatically interpolated means for preventing movement thereof in one direction, in certain positions of said supporting members, and means for yieldingly permitting movement of said operable member in the opposite direction, in certain other positions of said supporting members.

13. In a controller, the combination with a plurality of stationary contact members, a main drum, a reversing drum movable relatively thereto, and a plurality of cooperating movable contact members disposed upon saiddrums, of an operable member, and a biased movable member adapted to prevent movement of said operable member in one direction, in certain positions of said drums, and to permit yieldable movement of the operable member in the opposite direction, in certain other positions of'said drums.

141-. In a controller, the combination with a plurality of stationary contact members,

a main drum, areversing drum movable rel. atively thereto, and a plurality of cooperating movable contact members disposed upon said drums, of a reciprocable member provided with a cam surface having a shoulder, and a latch member biased to engage said shoulder, in certain positions of said drums, and adapted to permit yieldable engagement of said latch member with said cam surface, in certain other positions of said drums.

15; In a controller, the combination with a plurality of stationary contact members, a main drum, a reversing drum movable relatively thereto, and a plurality of cooperating movable contact members disposed upon said drums, of a reciprocable member pro vided With a camsurface having a shoulder, a latch member'biased to engage said shoul der in the 'ofl? position of said reversing drum and adapted to permit yieldable engagement of said latch member with said cam surface, in the-reverse running position of the reversing drum, and means associated with said main drum for releasing said engagement in the oil? position of the main drum.

16. In a switching device, the combination With a plurality of stationary contact members, a plurality or" relatively movable supporting members, and a plurality of cooperating movable contact members associated with said supporting members, of an operable member adapted to occupy a plurality of positions, means associated therewith for actuating one of said supporting members, upon predetermined movement of said operable member, and means for pre-.

venting subsequent movement of the said supporting member prior to a predetermined movement of another supporting member and to a predetermined movement of said operable member.

17. In a controller, the combination with a plurality of stationary contact members, a main drum, a reversing drum movable relatively thereto, and a plurality of cooperating movable contact members disposed upon said drums, of a reciprocable member adapted to occupy a plurality of positions, mechanical means attached thereto for actuat ing one of said drums upon predetermined movement of said reciprocable member, automatic means for preventing subsequent movement of the said drum prior to a predetermined movement of the other drum and to a predetermined movement of said reciprocable member in that order, and means for thereupon automatically moving said first actuated drum to a predetermined position.

18. In a switching device, the combination with a plurality of stationary contact members, and a plurality of sets of cooperating movable contact members, said sets being relatively movable, of an operable member, means for automatically moving one of said sets, irrespective of the position of another 'set, upon predetermined movement of said operable member, means for thereupon looking one of said sets in a predetermined position, and means for subsequently preventing movement of said operable member in one direction.

19. In a switching device, the combination with a plurality of stationary contact members, a plurality of relatively movable supportingmembors, and a plurality of coop erating movable contact members associated with said supporting members, of an operable member, mechanical means associated therewith t'or automatically moving one of said supporting members, irrespective of the position of another, upon predetermined movement of said operable member, positioning means secured to one of said supporting members, means for selectively engaging said positioning means and locking the corresponding supporting member in its new position, and automatically interpolated means for preventing movement of said operable member in one direction.

20. In a controller, the combination with a plurality of stationary contact members, a main drum, a reversing drum movable relatively thereto, and plurality of cooperating movable contact members disposed upon said drums, of an operable member, mechanical means adjustably engaging the same for moving one of said drums to its off position from any other position, irrespective of the position of the other drum, upon predetermined movement of said oper-' able member, a cam secured to one of said drums, a rod having one portion selectively engaging said cam, biasing means for locking the corresponding drum in said off position, a member secured to said rod to prevent movement of said operable member in one direction in certain positions of said drums and to permit movement of the operable member in another direction in certain other positions of said drums.

21. In a controller, the combination with a plurality of stationary contact members, a main drum, a reversing drum movable relatively thereto, and a plurality of cooperating movable contact members disposed upon said drums, of a cam secured to one of said drums, a movable member engaging said cam and adapted to move the corresponding drum to its off position from any other position, irrespective of the position of the other drum, a second cam secured to said reversing drum and having a recess, a rod extending through said recess, an annular member secured to said rod, resilient means for moving said annular member into interlocking engagement with said recess in said off position, a cam surface associated with said operable member and having a shoulder, and a latch member biased to engage said shoulder in certain positions of said drums and adapted to permit yieldable engagement of said latch member with said cam surface in certain other positions of said drums.

22. In a controller, the combination with a plurality of stationary contact members, a main drum, a reversing drum movable relatively thereto, and a plurality of co6perating movable contact members disposed upon said drums, of a cam secured to said reversing drum, a movable member engaging said cam, a reciprocable member attached to said movable member and adapted to actuate the latter to move said reversing drum to its off position, under predetermined conditions, a second cam secured to said reversing drum and provided with an internal recess having portions respectively corresponding to the forward running, reverse running and off position of the reversing drum, a rod for engaging said recess in the for ward running position, a collar secured to said rod, resilient means for moving said collar into interlocking engagement with said recess in either of the other positions, a cam surface secured to said reciprocable member and having a shoulder, a latch member biased to engage said shoulder in the off position of said reversing drum and adapted to permit yieldable engagement of said latch member with said cam surface in the reverse runnin position of the reversing drum, means associated with said main drum for releasing said engagement in the off position of the main drum, and means for biasing said reversing drum to a predetermined position.

23.'In a switching device, the combination with a plurality of relatively movable controller drums, of means for permitting movement of either drum independently of the other when a certain drum occupies a predetermined operative position and for preventing the movement of one, of said drums in certain positions of the other, when said certain drum occupies anotherprede termined operative position.

24. In a controller, the combination with a main drum and a reversing drum movable relatively thereto, of means for permitting movement of either drum to its off position independently of the other drum when the reversing drum occupies its forward position and for preventing the movement of the reversing drum from its reverse position when the main drum occupies any operative position.

25. In a controller, the combination with a main drum and a reversing drum movable relatively thereto, of means for permitting opening of the controller circuit on either drum when the reversing drum occupies one of its operative positions and for permitting said opening only on the main drum when the reversing drum occupies its other operative position.

26. In a controller, the combination with a main drum and a reversing drum movable relatively thereto, of mechanical means associated with the reversing drum for permitting movement of either drum to its ofi position and for preventing movement of the reversing drum beyond its off position when the reversing drum occupies its forward position and for preventing the movement of the reversing drum from its reverse position when the main drum occupies any operative position.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 27th day of Mar. 1914.

LYNN G. RILEY.

Witnesses:

H. R. EDGECOMB, B. B. HINES.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner 0! Patents, Washington. D. 0. 

